I'm Worried My Baby Will Choke On His First Birthday Cake =(?

Question

He just turned 11 months old and I'm already stressing about him choking on his birthday cake. It probably sounds ridiculous. It just doesnt seem like the stage 3 foods (even souped-up with baby cereal) will prepare him for such a mouth-full. Can you make me feel better or give me any advice?

Thanks =)

Answer 1

First, make sure that you are using a very very moist cake mix, or that the place you buy your cake from is known for having moist cakes. Any one should be fine, but if you are really worried, making sure of that may help.

Second, while it is common for a two-year-old or a three-year-old to stuff an entire cupcake in his mouth at once, the first cake is a learning experience, and is usually slow going. My son picked at the icing for probably ten or fifteen minutes, touching it, putting it in his mouth to taste it, deciding if he liked it, then doing it all over again. Once he finally got down to the cake part, he liked it and was handling it pretty well.

BUT your baby is still a baby, and has baby sized hands and baby-level fine motor skills. Even if he grabs a huge fistful of cake, it's unlikely all of that will make it into his mouth. Either he'll drop some through his fingers, or very little of it will make it IN the mouth (landing on the cheeks, chin, eyes, hair, toes... it's amazing what they can do with one little cupcake!). The big bites he picks up will probably be reduced to crumbs by the time he gets it anywhere near his mouth. For the most part, that first cake is smooshed so much after it's all over because they had more fun playing in it than they did eating it.

I would definately not decorate the cake with jimmies or any other candy sprinkles or anything that is little and will not immediately dissolve. Stick with just frosting.

Also, like everything else on his birthday, keep it low key with low expectations. He may not like the cake all that much, so don't force him to try to eat it if he doesn't want it. But do allow him to play with it, because even babies who don't care for cake generally still like to make a mess out of it. :-) And be patient: don't rush him through it. Let him explore it in his own way, even if it means he just picks at it and spends ten minutes just trying to figure out what it is. :-)

I have two kids, three nieces, two nephews, and I'm a photographer. We have a LOT of first-birthday babies come in for their portraits with a little birthday cake. I've never seen a baby choke on the birthday cake.

Answer 2

Frankly, most kids eat very little of their first birthday cake, they just make a mess more than anything.

If you're really worried, just make sure it's a moist cake and not something that tends to be dry like pound cake. You also have a month to go so try giving him a little bit of a cupcake or something this month to keep your mind at ease and realise that he can handle it. Brushing up on your first aid skills at anytime is always a good idea too, just to be safe.

Answer 3

Most likely he'll just stick his hands in it. Taste a bit off of his fingers. Try getting a cake with whipped cream icing instead of the traditional... it's softer and not quite as sweet. He might surprise you by digging in... but if he's not liking the texture of 3rd foods, most likely he's not going to cram his face with cake, lol! =) Just stay close and watch him, and here's to hoping he has a great birthday! Congrats and best of luck!

P.S. - Just to echo your first post up there, I've never heard of any child choking on birthday cake either... =P

Answer 4

It doesn't sound ridiculous. This crossed my mind when my son was about to turn one and my mom reassured me with a "that's nuts, give him the damn cake!" It really is soft enough it will be ok. Let him have at it. As long as he knows how to chew and swallow, the boy will be fine. How many kids have you ever heard of choking to death on their birthday cake? None!!

Answer 5

Most of the time they will squish it around in their hands some much first that it will be all mushy before it even hits their mouth :)

Honestly, it ends up being more of a mess than what they actually!

Of course, you can always break it into tiny pieces before putting in on their tray to help ease your fears.

Enjoy it though because you will never get this opportunity with your son again!

Answer 6

Didn't have this problem my daughter was eating solids by that age however she and our friends kids only wore their cake didn't even eat it. you could get a super moist one and use buttercream or whipped frosting both are more liquid not solid whipped is lighter though. Most importantly have fun and don't worry so much this time only comes once and you don't want to remember it by being nervous that you missed half the day.

Answer 7

Our little boy played more with his cake than ate it, and he loved smearing the icing around. Don't worry so much about it as he probably won't be that interested in a big mouthfull but in the making the mess...if you want to get your little one 'ready' for cake, make some and enjoy as a family!! :-)

Answer 8

You should speak to your doctor because by now he should be eating soft chunks in food. One year old kids don't so much eat the cake anyway they squish it around a lot and lick bits from their fingers. Make sure it's a simple cake with cake and icing and no candies or hard decorations. Happy Birthday!

Answer 9

When they eat cake for the first time, they mush it up so much, and eat finger fulls at a time. Plus they wind up wearing 90% of the cake. I wouldn't worry. My two girls were fine.
Don't forget to take lots of pictures. It's so adorable. By the time you see how happy your kid is and how everything is going fine, you will relax.

Answer 10

Get a cake that is super moist that will disolve in his mouth and make sure to give him very small bites. Make sure you have some juice handy, too, so his mouth doesn't dry out. I would avoid icing or anything else hard. Honestly, he'll probably have more fun playing with the cake then eating it anyway!